The ProWine India 2024 event is set to bring industry experts, bartenders, sommeliers, and enthusiasts together at the Jio World Convention Centre, Pavilion 3, on November 8-9, 2024. With engaging panel discussions and exciting competitions, the two-day event promises to be a hub for insights, networking, and the celebration of talent in the wine and spirits industry. 

Panel: Importing Wine and Spirits – Opportunities and Challenges

On November 8, 2024, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, industry experts will explore "The Realities & Opportunities of Importing Wine & Spirits in India". The panel discussion, held on the show floor, will be led by key industry players, including Sanjay Menon (Sansula), Jackie Matai (Aspri Spirits), Vishal Kadakia (Wine Park), John Southwell (Austrade), and Vianney Meynier (Business France India). This session will provide valuable insights into the complexities of import regulations, market potential, and evolving consumer preferences.

Celebrating Excellence: ProWine Bartenders' Competition

The ProWine Bartenders' Competition will take place on November 9, 2024, featuring some of the best bartenders from across the country. The finalists include LV Swaroop (Roxic, Bangalore), Manu Kwatra (Taj Palace, New Delhi), Narendra Singh (Idyll India, Bangalore), Nikhil Kamble (Nho Saigon, Mumbai), Omkar Parab (Grumps, Goa), Romario Rodrigues (Gigi, Mumbai), and Sumit Mehra (Otra, Mumbai). With MR. BARTENDER + THE CREW as the associate partner, the competition promises to showcase exceptional talent and creativity in mixology.

Panel: Shaping India's Wine Journey – For Sommeliers, By Sommeliers

On November 8, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, an insightful panel discussion titled "For Sommeliers, By Sommeliers: Taking India's Wine Journey to New Heights" will be held. Hosted by some of the most respected names in the field, including Kevin Rodriguez (Indian Accent, Comorin), Arth Jain (Taj Hotels), Bazil Moniz (I Think Foods), Charle Donnadieu (The Lalit Group), Hridhay Mehra (Masque), and Ravi Punia (The Quorum), the session will explore strategies to elevate India’s wine culture and foster greater appreciation among consumers.

Panel: Crafting World-Class Bar Programs with Indian Talent and Culture

Another highlight will be the panel discussion "Creating a World-Class Bar Program Showcasing India's Talent & Culture," scheduled for November 8, 2024, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Experts like Shatbi Basu (Creative Consultants), Aditi Dugar (Masque), Evonne Eadie (Perfect Serve India), John Leese (Avant Garde Bar Consultancy), Pankaj Balachandran (Countertop), Sweta Mohanty (Aspri Spirits), and Vikram Achanta (Tulleeho, 30 Best Bars) will share insights on blending creativity with local flavors to build outstanding bar programs in India.

The ProWine India 2024 event at the Jio World Convention Centre promises a vibrant platform for learning, collaboration, and inspiration for all attendees. With a rich lineup of discussions and competitions, it aims to celebrate India's growing prominence in the global wine and spirits market.

HospitalityNews is the official media partner for ProWine India 2024. Stay tuned for more exclusive updates about the event, and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the exclusive scoop.

Imagine walking into a kitchen. The air is rich with aromas of fresh herbs, sizzling pans, and spices swirling together in a symphony of flavor. Behind every pot and pan stands a chef, the conductor of this orchestra, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary. On October 20th, we celebrate these culinary visionaries on International Chefs Day, a day dedicated to those who bring joy, comfort, and adventure to our plates.

But this isn’t just about fancy Michelin-starred chefs (though they’re awesome too). It’s about the grandma making the perfect pasta sauce in her family kitchen, the street food vendor creating mouthwatering dishes with humble ingredients, and the culinary students learning to master the craft. Let’s dive into why International Chefs Day matters, and why every meal you’ve ever loved deserves to be celebrated.

The Magic of a Chef’s Craft: More Than Just Food

It’s easy to see a plate of food as just something we eat. But for chefs, it’s a canvas, a blank slate for creativity. They don't just cook—they design experiences. Think about the last time you had a meal that made you stop in your tracks, whether it was a perfectly seared steak, a delicate pastry, or even a burger that made you believe in love at first bite. That moment of awe? That’s the magic of a chef’s craft.

Chefs aren’t just feeding us; they’re telling stories. Through their dishes, they share culture, history, and passion. A simple bowl of ramen can transport you to the streets of Tokyo. A plate of paella might make you feel like you’re sitting by the Spanish coast. Food is the universal language, and chefs are the ones writing the poetry.

More Than a Job, It’s a Lifestyle

Being a chef isn’t a 9-to-5 job. It’s a lifestyle. It’s long hours in the kitchen, perfecting recipes, experimenting with ingredients, and never settling for “good enough.” It’s burning your hand on a hot pan (and not flinching) or making a dish over and over until it’s just right. The dedication is real. And it’s why chefs hold a special place in our hearts—and stomachs.

International Chefs Day is a salute to this relentless passion. It’s not just about fancy plates with tweezers-arranged microgreens (although, shoutout to that level of detail!). It’s about the people who stay up all night to feed hundreds, those who innovate with every bite, and those who take risks to make something unforgettable.

The Heroes Behind the Pandemic Kitchens

When the pandemic hit, the world stopped—but chefs kept cooking. While restaurants closed their doors, kitchens found new ways to serve. Virtual cooking classes took off, with chefs teaching home cooks how to make gourmet meals from their pantries. Delivery became a lifeline, and chefs—who are used to the buzz of a full dining room—kept the flame alive, bringing meals to our doors when we couldn’t step out.

Some even took things a step further. During these uncertain times, chefs rallied to feed frontline workers, communities in need, and those who couldn’t afford meals. Their knives didn’t just chop vegetables; they brought hope.

This Year’s Message: Health and Sustainability

This year, International Chefs Day comes with a powerful message: Healthy Food for the Future. Chefs across the globe are stepping up to encourage the next generation to embrace nutritious, sustainable eating. They’re showing us how we can enjoy incredible meals without harming the planet—whether that means reducing food waste, sourcing ingredients locally, or championing plant-based dishes.

This movement isn’t just trendy—it’s essential. Chefs, through their influence and platforms, are helping reshape how we think about food and the future. And they’re proving that “eating healthy” doesn’t mean boring or bland. It’s delicious, inspiring, and good for the planet.

Celebrate Like a Chef!

How can you celebrate International Chefs Day? Well, if you’re a food lover (which, let’s be honest, who isn’t?), here’s your excuse to go all out. Support your local restaurants, try a new dish, or even get adventurous in your own kitchen. And when you sit down to enjoy that plate of food, take a moment to appreciate the chef behind it.

Try out a recipe from a chef you admire. Or if you’re really feeling the love, order something extra fancy tonight and raise a glass to the culinary artists who make life just a little bit more flavorful.

On October 20th, let’s not just eat. Let’s feast. Let’s celebrate the world’s chefs—the ones who inspire, create, and, most importantly, keep us coming back for seconds Happy International Chefs Day!

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida is set to revive India’s regal culinary legacy with its “Lost Recipes of Royal Cuisine” festival, scheduled from October 21 to 31, 2024. Renowned for his mastery of Indian flavors, Chef Rehman will lead this culinary event, bringing forgotten royal recipes to life.

The festival will feature delicacies inspired by the kitchens of royal families, including the Dogras of Kashmir, Nizams of Hyderabad, Mewars of Rajasthan, and Travancore. Guests will have the chance to explore traditional cooking techniques and ingredients that reflect each region’s unique heritage.

Alongside savoring these exquisite dishes, visitors will get the opportunity to interact with Chef Rehman, who will provide insights into the history and cultural significance behind each dish. The event offers a rare chance to experience flavors once reserved for palaces, now brought back to the modern table.

The festival will take place at Spice Art restaurant, from 7 pm to 11 pm daily.